Following the game's first alpha test back in August, SEGA decided to delay Phantasy Star Online 2 service until 2012. Producer Satoshi Sakai explained that, after going over some 20,000 pieces of feedback from the alpha and for all areas of the game, the team decided to make some changes which must be pretty significant to delay the title until next year. A second alpha phase is planned for January, where previous participants will be invited back, and new participants will also be accepted starting in December. Other than the 2012 window, dates for the beta phase and retail release have yet to be announced.